Strategic Plan

2025-2023

Vision

We envision a thriving community nourished by a just and sustainable food system. Everyone has access to fresh, affordable, culturally​ ​appropriate food; local ​farmers and food entrepreneurs have equal chances to succeed; and there is a robust public demand for local, nutritious food.

Mission

Crossroads Community Food Network is building a healthier and more inclusive food system in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads, a vibrant immigrant community outside Washington, DC. At the heart of this network of food growers, makers, and consumers is Crossroads Farmers Market, where SNAP/WIC matching dollars make healthy food affordable for all, and at the same time help support local farmers and vendors—many of whom are immigrants themselves. Crossroads also provides bilingual business support for historically excluded food entrepreneurs, an affordable commercial kitchen geared toward helping them succeed, and community-based healthy eating education.

Crossroads’ holistic approach addresses crucial aspects of an equitable, sustainable local food system: access, education, and infrastructure for Black, Brown, immigrant, and women farmers and food entrepreneurs. The benefits are interrelated and multifold: Increasing access to fresh produce and healthy eating knowledge contribute to improved overall public health. Creating a consistent demand for fresh fruits and vegetables helps make local, small-scale farming more economically viable. And cultivating a supportive business environment levels the playing field and enriches the local food system with a wider variety of culturally diverse products. By connecting and empowering those who grow, make, and eat healthy food, Crossroads supports our community’s efforts to attain food equity and food sovereignty.

Our Core Values

We acknowledge the traditional territories of the Piscataways, Anacostans, and other First Nations peoples on whose stolen land Takoma Park and Langley Park now stand. We recognize the enduring legacy of slavery and institutional oppression and the resulting racial disparities in food access, health, economic opportunity, and land ownership. This awareness is the foundation for our commitment to building a more just and equitable food system for all.

These are the core values that our staff, board, and volunteers strive to weave into all aspects of Crossroads’ programs and operations. Our commitment to these values is steadfast, backed by long-term investments in time and resources.

CoreValueSOVEREIGNTY

FOOD SOVEREIGNTY

We acknowledge the deep-rooted inequities that exist in our local food system and the resulting poor health outcomes that disproportionately affect immigrants, people of color, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. We believe that those who have been historically excluded should have the power to define and control their own culturally appropriate food policies, processes, and activities.

CULTURAL RESPECT

We believe in a free and open exchange of ideas and the cultivation of relationships among people of different races, cultures, ages, incomes, and backgrounds. Our work is respectful of and responsive to the diverse cultural practices and linguistic needs of all community members.

CoreValueCOMMUNITY

COMMUNITY & COLLABORATION

We believe in an asset-based approach and strive to leverage the abundant skills, experiences, and resources in our community. We recognize that we are stronger when we work together to dismantle racism, bias, and inequities in our local food system. We build and maintain strong partnerships with community members, other nonprofit organizations, businesses, governments, and funders with intention and integrity.

EQUITY

We stand firmly for equity. This means ensuring everyone in our community ​and at our organization has fair access, equal opportunities, and the freedom to thrive and choose. Ensuring fairness is not enough; we must also actively recognize and dismantle historical and systemic barriers that have prevented marginalized groups from fully participating.​
CoreValueEQUITY
CoreValueWELLNESS

WELLNESS

We believe there’s more to being healthy than just the absence of illness. Wellness embodies the power of choice and freedom from anxiety, particularly around food, nourishment, and income inequality.

Our Core Values

We acknowledge the traditional territories of the Piscataways, Anacostans, and other First Nations peoples on whose stolen land Takoma Park and Langley Park now stand. We recognize the enduring legacy of slavery and institutional oppression and the resulting racial disparities in food access, health, economic opportunity, and land ownership. This awareness is the foundation for our commitment to building a more just and equitable food system for all.

These are the core values that our staff, board, and volunteers strive to weave into all aspects of Crossroads’ programs and operations. Our commitment to these values is steadfast, backed by long-term investments in time and resources.

CoreValueSOVEREIGNTY

FOOD SOVEREIGNTY

We acknowledge the deep-rooted inequities that exist in our local food system and the resulting poor health outcomes that disproportionately affect immigrants, people of color, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. We believe that those who have been historically excluded should have the power to define and control their own culturally appropriate food policies, processes, and activities.

CULTURAL RESPECT

We believe in a free and open exchange of ideas and the cultivation of relationships among people of different races, cultures, ages, incomes, and backgrounds. Our work is respectful of and responsive to the diverse cultural practices and linguistic needs of all community members.

CoreValueCOMMUNITY

COMMUNITY & COLLABORATION

We believe in an asset-based approach and strive to leverage the abundant skills, experiences, and resources in our community. We recognize that we are stronger when we work together to dismantle racism, bias, and inequities in our local food system. We build and maintain strong partnerships with community members, other nonprofit organizations, businesses, governments, and funders with intention and integrity.

CoreValueEQUITY

EQUITY

We stand firmly for equity. This means ensuring everyone in our community ​and at our organization has fair access, equal opportunities, and the freedom to thrive and choose. Ensuring fairness is not enough; we must also actively recognize and dismantle historical and systemic barriers that have prevented marginalized groups from fully participating.​
CoreValueWELLNESS

WELLNESS

We believe there’s more to being healthy than just the absence of illness. Wellness embodies the power of choice and freedom from anxiety, particularly around food, nourishment, and income inequality.

CCFN Theory of Change

Balanced Scorecard

To ensure the effectiveness of our programs, we leverage data-driven insights and stakeholder feedback to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments. Crossroads utilizes a Balanced Scorecard tool to measure impact. This framework helps us track progress toward programmatic goals and ensure that our organization is compliant, financially sustainable, and equity-focused. If you’d like to dig into the details, click the image or button below.

Crossroads' Balanced Scorecard

Crossroads Timeline

The First Years: Laying the Foundation

2005
John Hyde and Louise Swartzwalder see need for new farmers market in Takoma/Langley Crossroads immigrant community

2006
Hyde and former USDA Under Secretary Gus Schumacher develop Fresh Checks benefits-matching program to increase produce access

2007
Crossroads Farmers Market opens!

2008
Local and national media, USDA staff, elected officials, and community members take notice of Crossroads’ success

2009
Expands to year-round operations with SNAP and urban farmer initiatives

A New Chapter: Transitioning to Nonprofit

2010
Partners with Rolling Terrace Elementary School for Healthy Eating Program (HEP) pilot

2011
Becomes a registered nonprofit (Crossroads Community Food Network)

2012
Partners with Takoma Park Presbyterian Church to establish shared-use kitchen

2013
Healthy Eating Program expands to Piney Branch Elementary School

2014
USDA Farm Bill funds new SNAP incentive program modeled after Crossroads’ success and market increases Fresh Checks match to $15

Growth and Innovation : Expanding Our Reach

2015
Launches bilingual Microenterprise Training Program in response to community demand

2016
Farmer’s Market has its 10th anniversary season 

2017
TPSS Community Kitchen opens, Fresh Checks match increases to $20, and Community Ambassador program starts

2018
USDA expands and renames SNAP-incentive grant program after Gus Schumacher to honor his contributions to food access

2019
Distributes 500,000th Fresh Check and supports 15 food businesses at TPSS Community Kitchen

Crossroads Today: A Legacy of Impact

2020
Creates free senior CSA, increases Fresh Checks match to $50, and moves HEP online and into school gardens due to pandemic

2021
Relaunches Microenterprise Development Program in a new format

2022
Market sales top $500,000 and first annual food fair held in downtown Takoma Park

2023
Community Ambassadors reach 19,500+ people, promoting Crossroads Farmers Market and the Fresh Checks program

2024
Distributes 1,000,000th Fresh Check